Dual hopper outlet closure structure



Aug. 13, 1968 E. s. STEVENS DUAL HOPPER OUTLET CLOSURE STRUCTURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 17, 1966 INVENTOR. I

ERIC 3. STEVENS 'jb ATTORNEY E. S. STEVENS DUAL HOPPER OUTLET CLOSURE STRUCTURE Aug. 13, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 17, 1966 Aug. 13, 1968 E. s. STEVENS UAL HOPPER OUTLET CLOSURE STRUCTURE '4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 17, 1966 a a m 2.

w mm MN United States Patent T 3,396,675 DUAL HOPPER OUTLET CLOSURE STRUCTURE Eric S. Stevens, St. Charles, Mo., assignor to ACE Industries, Incorporated, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Feb. 17, 1966, Ser. No. 528,291 Claims. (Cl. 105280) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A bottom outlet structure for a hopper having a pair of gate carrying structures pivotally movable in opposed directions to a full open position for a rapid discharge of lading from the hopper. A separate gate is mounted on each gate carrying structure for relative sliding movement and may be separately opened and closed relative to the associated gate carrying structure for controlled flow of lading from the hopper independently of the movement of the gate carrying structure.

Background of the invention Many covered hopper cars have bottom discharge outlets positioned in side-by-side relation to each other and some unloading sites have canvas hoods or the like which fit about the discharge outlets adjacent the sides of the car. The side discharge outlets in many instances are of conventional dimensions, such as thirteen (13) inches by twenty-four (24) inches, and are normally arranged in a side-by-side relation to each other. The lading is conveyed from the railway car into a storage bin or facility normally positioned adjacent the unloading site.

At present, the trend in bottom discharge structures is in the direction of larger discharge outlets which extend the width of the car and discharge over the center of the track centrally of the width of the car. For example, bottom discharge outlets of dimensions, such as twentyseven (27) inches by sixty-three (63) inches, are employed today in some covered hopper cars. When the larger discharge outlets are employed at unloading sites which are adapted to unload from the smaller sized sideby-side discharge bottom outlets, it is necessary to have an adaptor or the like in order to fit about the larger sized discharge opening.

The opening of a conventional gravity discharge gate by rotation of a pinion is relatively slow especially with a relatively large gate which reguires a large turning torque. Thus, it is highly desirable to have a gate which may be opened in a minimum of time for a maximum discharge as well as a gate in which the flow of lading may be selectively controlled.

Description of the invention The present invention is especially directed to a bottom outlet structure which is positioned beneath the bottom hopper opening of a hopper structure to control the flow of lading through the discharge outlet. The bottom outlet structure is divided into two contiguous chute portions or gate carrying portions which may be moved away from each other to a full open position in a minimum of time for a rapid unloading of lading. The chute portions have a closure which may be selectively opened to any desired size of opening for a controlled flow of lading independently of the movement of the chute portions. Likewise, the movement of the chute portions to full open position is independently of the movement of the closure. The closure preferably comprises a gate carried by each chute portion with the chute portions forming a bottom gate or chute opening of smaller dimensions than the bottom hopper opening.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a 3,396,675 Patented Aug. 13, 1968 bottom outlet structure having means to permit the lading to be discharged selectively from either a relatively large discharge opening or from a relatively small discharge opening.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a gravity discharge gate for a hopper structure which may, selectively, be opened in a minimum of time to a maximum discharge opening, or may gradually be opened to any desired opening for a controlled flow of lading.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a pair of contiguous gate carrying structures which may be opened in a minimum of time to a full open position without the employment of a power mechanism or gear reduction.

The invention accordingly comprises the constructions hereinafter described, the scope of the invention being indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which one of various possible embodiments of the invention is illustrated,

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a covered hopper railway car having a plurality of bottom discharge structures comprising the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged end elevation of one of the bottom discharge structures shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged end elevation similar to FIGURE 2 but Showing the lower chute portions in a full open position to discharge lading in a minimum of time;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan of the bottom discharge structure shown in FIGURES 2 and 3;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken generally along line 5-5 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken generally along line 66 of FIGURE 4 with the gate structure illustrated in a closed position; and

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 6 but illustrating the gate structure in an open position with the chute portions remaining in a closed position to permit a controlled discharge of lading from the hopper structure.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of the invention, a covered hopper car is indicated generally at 10 in FIGURE 1 and includes a plurality of hoppers 12 separated by bulkheads 14. Hatch covers 16 permit the loading of hoppers 12 through suitable openings. Hopper sides 18 and 20 funnel downwardly to bottom discharge hopper openings 22 defined by an outwardly extending flange 24 and a generally rectangular frame 26. Frame 26 comprises sides 28 and 30 secured to the underside of flange 24.

A discharge structure indicated generally at 32 mounted beneath frame 26. Discharge structure 32 is divided centrally of its width into a pair of gate carrying structures or chute portions 34 and 36 movable between open and closed positions with respect to hopper opening 22. Supporting chute portions 34 and 36 for pivotal movement adjacent each end thereof are U-shaped hanger arms 38 pivotally mounted adjacent one end at 40 to frame 26 and connected adjacent its other end to a pivot formed by a pinion shaft 42 on the associated chute portions 34, 36. Each pinion shaft 42 has a pinion 43 secured on each end thereof. Chute portions 34, 36 comprise end slope sheets 44 and side slope sheets 46. End slope sheets 44 include end slope sheet portions 44A on chute portion 34 and end slope sheet portions 44B on chute portion 36. An inverted V-shaped divider 48 divides chute portions 34, 36 intermediate their length into two chute openings 49 as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5. Chute sides 50 and chute ends 52 of a channel shape form a generally rectangular 3 frame about chute portions 34 and 36 with chute ends 52 being divided into two contiguous sections 52A and 52B, sections 52A being on chute portion 34 and sections 52B being on chute portion 36.

Mounted on each chute portion 34, 36 is a gate 56 each having 'a retaining flange 58 on each end thereof in supporting sliding engagement with lower flange 60 of chute ends 52 as seen in FIGURE 5. Each gate 56 has a rack 66 upwardly to release detents 72 permitting simultaneous swinging'move'ment of chute portions 34 and 36 to open 62 on each end thereof in engagement with a superjacent pinion 43. Capstans 64 on each end of each pinion shaft 42 may be engaged by a handspike or the like from either side of railway car to rotate the respective shaft 42. If a controlled or regulated gravity flow of lading from car 10 is desired, gates 56 may be easily moved along flanges 60 of chute ends 52 upon rotation of pinion shafts 42 to the desired opening. The full open position of gates 56 is shown in FIGURE 7.

To prevent inadvertent opening of gates 56, a releasable manual catch indicated generally at 66 is mounted on each end of gate carrying structure or chute portion 36 for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis 68. A hook 67 on each catch 66 is adapted to fit over a detent 72 extending from the adjacent end of chute portion 34 to prevent movement of gates 56 to an open position before catches 66 are rotated to release detents 72. A torsion spring 69 continuously biases catch 66 to an open position. Each catch 66 has an upwardly extending arcuate arm 73. A manual actuator or release is indicated generally 74 for releasing catches 66 and comprises a main shaft 75 extending between chute sides 52 with bent rod portions on each end thereof. Each bent rod portion forms a manual grip 76 and an extending end portion 78 in engagement with arcuate arm 7 3.

To unlock manually catches 66 for rotation of pinion shafts 42, grip 76 on one side of car 10 is gripped and rotated with end portions 78 camming arcu'ate arms 73 upwardly to the position of FIGURE 7 in which position gate portions 56 may be moved to an open position upon rotation of pinion shafts 42. With chute portions 34 and 36 closed and gates 56 open, lading is discharged from chute openings 49 in two separate streams.

In the event it is desired to discharge in a minimum of time from one relatively large opening, chute portions 34 and 36 are mounted on hanger arms 38 for pivotal movement about pivots 40" to the position shown in FIGURE 3. To control the opening and closing of chute portions 34 and 36, bent links 80, 81 are pivotally mounted at 42 adjacent one end thereof to chute portions 34 and 36 respectively. The other ends of links 80, 81 are pivotally mounted at 82 and 83 respectively to crank arms 84 fixed to a tubular shaft 86 for rotation therewith. Tubular shaft 86 freely receives main shaft 75 of manual actuator 74 and is adapted to be rotated relative to shaft 75. Likewise, shaft 75 and manual actuator 74 may be rotated relative to tubular shaft 86. To rotate shaft 75, tubular ends 88 are provided to receive a handspike or the like.

In the closed position of chute portions 34, 36 as shown in FIGURE 2, bent links 80, 81 fit around shaft 86 and provide an overcenter linkage arrangement. The line of force F for link 81 in the closed position extends between pivots 42, 82. Similarly, the line of force F for link 80 extends between pivots 42, 83. The lines of force F as shown in FIGURE 2 in broken lines pass beyond the axial center of shaft 86 in the closed position of chute portions 34 and 36. Any downward pressure exerted against chute portions 34, 36 will tend to rotate shaft 86 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 2 thereby to urge chute portions 34, 36 toward closed position. Thus, the weight of the lading within car 10 will tend to hold chute portions 34 and 36 in closed position.

To release catches 66 automatically upon rotation of tubular shaft 86, a cam 90 is secured to each end of shaft 86 and has an indentation 92 receiving the adjacent end of arcuate arm 73 in the closed position of chute portions 34, 36. Upon rotation of shaft 86, cams 90 pivot catches position. Torsion springs 69 hold catches 66 in an upwardly biased open position until chute portions 34, 36 are returned to closed positions. While manual actuator 74 may be freely pivoted within tubular shaft 86, a suitabIe overriding detent may be provided on shaft 86, if desired, to move actuator 74 to the position shown in FIGURE 3 upon rotation of shaft 86 so that catches 66 may be easily received by rod ends 78 when chute portions 34 and 36 are returned to closed position. Manual actuator 74 may be rotated to releasably lock catches 66 in position upon closing of chute portions 34 and 36.

It is to be understood that a suitable automatic arrangement may, if desired, be provided between catch 66, actuator 74, and shaft 86 to provide an automatic locking of catch 66 upon rotation of shaft 86 to the closed position of chute portions 34 and 36. a

From the foregoing it will be understood that a gravit discharge outlet has been provided in which a full discharge opening is obtained in a minimum of time for a relatively rapid unlocking of lading. Further, a gravity gate structure is arranged in combination with the fast opening discharge to permit, selectively, a controlled discharge of lading through the gate opening when a slower controlled rate of discharge is desired or when it is desired to discharge through a smaller discharge opening which may be a pair of side-by-side discharge openings. An overcenter linkage is provided for the fast opening discharge.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A bottom outlet structure adapted to be secured beneath a bottom discharge hopper opening of a hopper structure for discharge of lading and comprising, a chute structure tunneling downwardly to a lower discharge chute opening of smaller dimensions than said bottom hopper opening, said chute structure being divided into two contiguous chute portions movable between open and closed positions relative to the hopper opening, a closure for the chute opening carried by said chute structure, means to move the closure to an open position relative to said chute opening for a controlled discharge of lading at a selected chute opening independently of the movement of said chute portions, and means mounting the chute portions for pivotal movement in opposite directions away from each other to a full open position in a minimum of time generally outwardly of the hopper opening to permit a discharge of lading from the full hopper opening independently of the movement of the closure.

2. A bottom outlet structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said closure comprises a gate on each chute portion, and means on each chute portion to open and close the associated gate.

3. A bottom outlet structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein means mounting the chute portions for pivotal movement away from each other comprises means suspending each chute portion for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, and a linkage for each chute portion to pivot the associated chute portion upon actuation of the respective linkage.

4. In a bottom outlet structure for the gravity discharge of lading adapted to be secured beneath the bottom discharge hopper opening of a hopper structure, a pair of contiguous opposed gate carrying structures beneath the hopper opening, each gate carrying structure having a gate separately movable in a generally horizontal direction between open and closed positions relative to the associated gate carrying structure for a selected controlled gravity discharge of lading at a predetermined gate opening, and means mounting the gate carrying structures and associated gates for pivotal movement in opposite directions away from each other to a full open position in a minimum of time generally outwardly of the hopper opening to permit the discharge of lading from the full hopper opening independently of the movement of the gates.

5. In a bottom outlet structure as set forth in claim 4, said gate carrying structures in closed position having sides sloping downwardly to said gates and forming a chute leading to said gates, and means on the gate carrying structures to move the gates to an open position thereby to form a lower discharge gate opening of lesser dimensions than the hopper opening for the discharge of lading.

6. In a bottom outlet structure as set forth in claim 4, said means mounting the gate carrying structures for pivotal movement away from each other comprising means suspending each gate carrying structure for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, and a linkage for each gate carrying structure to pivot the associated gate carrying structure upon actuation of the respective linkage.

7. A bottom outlet structure adapted to be secured beneath a bottom hopper opening of a hopper structure for discharge of lading and comprising, a generally rectangular chute structure funneling downwardly from the hopper opening to a lower chute opening of smaller dimensions than said bottom hopper opening, said chute structure being split intermediate its width into two contiguous chute portions movable between open and closed positions relative to the hopper opening, a gate carried by each chute portion to provide a closure for the chute opening, means to slide the gates between open and closed positions relative to said chute opening for a regulated discharge of lading from the chute opening, means mounting each chute portion and associated gate for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis, and means to pivot said chute portions and associated gates about the horizontal axes in opposite directions away from each other to a full open position generally outwardly of the hopper opening to permit discharge of lading from the full hopper opening.

8. A bottom outlet structure as set forth in claim 7 wherein said means mounting each chute portion and associated gate for movement about a generally horizontal axis comprises a plurality of arms suspending each chute portion for pivotal movement, and said means to pivot said chute portions comprises a linkage for each chute portion.

9. A bottom outlet structure as set forth in claim 8 wherein each linkage comprises a link pivotally connected adjacent one end to the associated chute portion and a crank arm pivotally connected to the other opposite end of each link, and means to rotate the crank arms back and forth for opening and closing the chute portions.

10. A bottom outlet structure adapted to be secured beneath a bottom hopper opening of a hopper structure for discharge of lading and comprising, a generally rectangular chute structure funneling downwardly from the hopper opening to a lower chute opening of smaller dimensions than said bottom hopper opening, said chute structure being split intermediate its width into two contiguous chute portions movable between open and closed positions relative to the hopper opening, a gate carried by each chute portion to provide a closure for the chute opening, means to slide the gates between open and closed positions relative to said chute opening for a regulated discharge of lading from the chute opening, a pair of hanger arms suspending each chute portion and associated gate for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis and pivotally connected to the associated chute portion, a link pivotally connected adjacent one end to each chute portion about the pivotal connection of the adjacent hanger arm to the chute portion, a crank arm pivotally connected to the other end of each link, and a shaft carrying the crank arms adapted to be rotated for actuating the links and opening and closing of the chute portions, the link on each chute portion being pivoted past a dead center position with respect to the rotational axis of the shaft when the chute portions are in closed positions whereby the weight of the lading urges the chute portions toward a closed position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 938,976 11/1909 Clark 282 XR 3,348,501 10/1967 Stevens et a1. 105-282 XR ARTHUR L. LA POINT, Primary Examiner.

H. BELTRAN, Assistant Examiner. 

